Maine College of Art Reviews

Check out reviews left by other students or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship.

Ana from the Southern Realms of Jersey

05/07/2011

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
1 of 8

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

Art students

Tips for prospective students

Get your portfolio started soon! I started my portfolio last year (junior year), even then, I was too busy to complete it this year (senior year). Also, make sure to include WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT, rather than showing works of multiple mediums. Oh, and include an adequate amount of still lives/life drawings too. Moreover, pay attention to your grades, even if they may not be perfect, maintaining an okay GPA will have your chances increase. Join as many art clubs, take as many art classes as you can, but most importantly have fun with your high school career.

Bang for the buck

It may be a little pricey, but compared to other art schools, MECA is on the cheaper side.

Will enjoy being here

Even if I haven't visited the campus yet, my cousin lived in Maine, and toured the campus when she was a sophomore in high school. She's told me of a lot of great things about the Portland area. The Portland district is great for eclectic artists because of the unique shops, the diversity, as well as the coastal area.

Will learn a lot

Reading from other reviews, I know I'll learn a lot, not only in Illustration, but in other forms of art too. They have an awesome Foundations program, and just by reading the curriculum, I know I'm going to learn more and more about art.

Alicia from Freeport, ME

02/09/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
2 of 8

Categories

Comments

What to do for fun

it's in the heart of portland's art district so there is always plenty to do within walking distance. on the first friday of every month congress street is lined with artists and vendors displaying and selling things they've made. there are concerts and sporting events all the time as well.

Food and Dining

the food is fantastic! and they always have vegetarian and vegan options.

Dorm Life

i haven't lived in the dorms but i have friends who do, and they love it.

Academic Rigor

the classes are challenging, but not overly difficult.

Tips for prospective students

take a tour and have an in-person portfolio review, if possible.

In three sentences

it's a beautiful school with great facilities. the teachers and administrators are very caring and attentive. it's a fantastic place to learn how to create.

Hannah

The campus is very safe. The only thing to watch out for are the bums on the streets. They usually don't bother anyone but occasionally they will ask for spare change.

Clubs and Activities

Since it is such a small school there are limited clubs, but they do have some. The nice thing about how small the school is that if you have an idea for a club you are welcome to make it official and start one!

Great for these types of students

If you are passionate about art and love a tight knit community, this is the place for you. Maine College of Art makes sure it's students are involved with the community. Because of the small size of the school, you are really able to become close to the professors. They are able to help you frequently and really care about how you do in their class.

What to do for fun

There is plenty to do around Maine College of Art. Since its located right in the middle of Portland there is always something going on. The city has art fairs and parades right outside our front door! The civic center is only a few steps away if you are interested in concerts or going to see a hockey game. There are plenty of shops and restaurants as well. It is perfect for an art student because there are tons of galleries all throughout Portland.

Food and Dining

Food and dinning is pretty good. There is always a vegetarian alternative and the food is very healthy.

Academic Rigor

Each night I have plenty of work to do. Basically I work around the clock, however it's very rewarding in the sense that you are getting more experience and learning new things along the way. If you ever need help, any of the professors are more than willing to sit down with you to give you the help you need.

Tips for prospective students

At times the work load can be overwhelming, but don't worry. As long as you spread it out you'll be fine. Make sure you don't miss a lot of class. Even missing one class and you can easily fall behind on a lot. Make sure to be aware of that. Teachers can only be so generous.

In three sentences

Maine College of art is a great school. Their facilities and professors are excellent. Although I've only been there a year, this school has helped my skill set tremendously.

My roomate and I had to share a closet prettymuch, the smallest and most pittiful room

Academic Rigor

Comfortable mostly, surprisingly a large amount of papers to write.

Tips for prospective students

Got money?

In three sentences

A fantastic place for people to grow in all meanings of the word. grow in skill, spirit, fame, and networking. The only thing that won't grow is your wallet, which will turn into a blackhole and devour your life untill you have to join a branch of the U.S. military to pay for it.

Cecelia from Victor, NY

10/24/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 of 8

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

Portland is ranked among the country's safest cities. It is very walkable, and well lit and broad at night. Things are close to each other, and emergency personnel are very quick to respond. The school has in place a text alert system for situations which may arise, including safety alerts and weather conditions (snow/ice).

Greek Life

MECA does not have Greek Life.

Clubs and Activities

There is so much to do at MECA. Annual zombie ball on Halloween, Tweed Ride every fall, Breast Cancer walk, there are so many events going on. Running group, Cycling club, Fiber Arts group, theatre group, LGBTQ support and awareness, Student Senate, art shows, political events, concerts/music, etc, I could go on forever.

Great for these types of students

If you're looking for a small, lively city to live in, MECA is the school for you. If you want a personal experience, where professors and admins know you and your work by name, go to MECA. You're not just a number here; people actually care about you. Portland is a wacky city, full of life and color and community.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The annual Holiday Sale is a huge two-day event in December, held at MECA, where vendors comprised of students, faculty, staff, alumni and a few local businesses sell handcrafted goods in all media. Each year the school has a BFA exhibition in the fall for undergrad students--this is a juried show where students can be awarded scholarship money. There is the Merit Show, another student exhibition, in the spring, where students can be awarded scholarship money. The Nothing Major show, a student run exhibition for students who have yet to declare a major; students can be awarded for scholarship money.

Bang for the buck

MECA is fairly inexpensive as far as colleges go, but that doesn't mean you're not getting everything you could be paying for. It is an exceptional school system and fosters artists of all mediums. Students are immersed in art, while gaining experience in business and academics. MECA works closely with the Portland community, and public engagement is big here.

What to do for fun

There is so much to do in Portland--it's a city after all. MECA has a Student Life group which organizes weekly activities for students, such as a theatre group, running club, cycling club, LGBTQ support and awareness, and many more. Portland is a walking city, with trails along the coast and through the Eastern Promenade and Western Promenade. The Maine Mall is just south of the city, and reachable by bus. Portland has several parks, such as Deering Oaks Park, and there are tons of events around the city at all times of the year. There are art galleries and a movie theatre, and concerts big and small. The Civic Center has hockey games and big concerts, and other traveling shows like the circus or even a monster truck rally. Tons to do.

Food and Dining

MECA just renovated its cafe, and it is run by a chef and students. The food is very good, and there are always vegetarian and vegan options in addition to the main course. These options are creative and delicious, and many students at MECA are vegetarian or vegan.

Dorm Life

The two Res Halls, Oak Street and Shepley Street, are both very old buildings that have been remodeled into residential spaces. The walls are thin and it's not always the quietest space, but it fosters a close atmosphere that is warm and welcoming. In Oak St, there is one full bathroom per two rooms (any combination of singles, doubles, or sometimes triples--the size of the room determines how many people live in it), which is easy and convenient, and cleaning is expected of the residents, not a facilities staff. In Shepley, it is apartment style living (galley kitchen and full bath, two or three rooms), with either two or four people per unit. Again, cleaning is expected of residents. Laundry is located in the building for both res halls, and both have bike storage as well.

Academic Rigor

The liberal arts department at MECA holds high standards and expectations of its students. They expect students to take academics seriously and let academics inform their studio practice.

Tips for prospective students

Be flexible and know that you might not end up in the major you come here for. Take electives outside your intended major. Be ambitious and really push yourself in your artmaking. After all, it is better to be on the short side of success while you're still in school, but you MUST be able to handle constructive criticism and grow from the experience.

In three sentences

MECA forms a small, close-knit community that is always adaptive and receptive to Portland and the city people around it. It is a personal experience, where professors know you by name and hold you accountable for the work that you do; they really care about your work and your growth through the school. MECA is an excellent environment which fosters both artistic creativity and innovation outside the art world as well by holding its academics to a high standard, in order to inform the studio practice of those in the school.

Lakshmi

The school has locked 24 hour access to studios (not sure if this is all years or only upperclassmen). There is always a security guard present.

Great for these types of students

This school is perfect for students who need a small supportive community and personalized attention. I've also seen adults returning to school have a positive experience here. Everyone is friendly and helpful.

Bang for the buck

Reasonable value for people working in traditional media or disciplines (wood furniture, jewelry, painting, sculpture, illustration, graphic design.) I wish they had more to offer as far as using technology, sound, performance, film and video - there is some new media like making apps and animation. It feels a little dated that way.

What to do for fun

Avail yourself of all the fabulous visiting artist lectures the school offers throughout the year and in the summer. There's often someone around teaching yoga at lunch time, which is an excellent way to have a restorative break during the day.

Food and Dining

Excellent value - I attended a public lecture last week and had lunch in the cafeteria. $4.25! Helpful, friendly staff.

Dorm Life

Did not use the dorm, but it is right around the block from the school, so I imagine the commute is perfect!

Academic Rigor

Classes are good quality, instructors come from diverse perspectives. I didn't find it difficult to get an A, but I did invest time and enthusiasm in the classes I took here. There are some honors classes being offered now in Liberal Arts/Art History - perfect for the motivated student.

Tips for prospective students

Don't be put off by the price, there is help and they have an articulation agreement with SMCC, your first two years from community college can transfer over. I was going to SMCC and was able to study here as a GPACU exchange student.

In three sentences

A small, friendly community of dedicated artists and faculty committed to providing a quality education for emerging artists. MECA has a beautiful building and an impressive library. The institution is central to the life of the downtown area.

Cappex is the company behind CollegeGreenlight.com.

College Greenlight is a service provided by Cappex.com, a leading college search website that has relationships with hundreds of colleges nationwide and years of experience helping millions of students achieve their college dreams.